Two Lose At Tribunal

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL

Charges Laid:
James McDonald (MELB), striking North Melbourne's Andrew Swallow: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. His five year good record reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 70.31 demerits. As a result, he comes away with a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Andrew Welsh (ESS) misconduct in that he kneed Hawk Xavier Ellis in the groin: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), medium impact (two points) and groin contact (two points), equaling seven points, a Level Four offense, 425 demerits, and a four game suspension. He has no prior record and had he accepted, the penalty would have been reduced 25% to 318.75 demerits and a three game suspension.

Welsh took his case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the classification of intentional downgraded to reckless, which would have decreased the demerits. Welsh claimed that his kneeing of Ellis in the groin was not intentional. Essendon's general manager Paul Hamilton backed up Welsh, stating on the club's website that he believed Welsh never intended to knee Ellis.

The Tribunal panel did not agree and upheld the original penalty.

Jude Bolton (SYD), bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Brisbane's Joel Patfull: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He has no previous record which reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand, with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Matt Maguire (BRIS), rough conduct against Sydney's Jude Bolton: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points), equaling five points, a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. His good record over the past five years reduces the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and a one game suspension. Had he accepted, the penalty would have been reduced a further 25% to 126.56 demerits, still a one game suspension.

Maguire decided to contest the charge. In his defense, he said that he was trying to "limit or stop" Bolton from kicking a goal. Maguire said that he came in low but Bolton then dropped his head causing the contact which resulted in Maguire suffering a fractured cheekbone.

Maguire's advocate said the incident was ''... an accident that happens in footy'' and backed up Maguire's statement that the head clash was accidental. He also said that Bolton was partly to blame due to lowering his head as he attempted the kick. Field umpire Stuart Wenn testified that he did not believe the contact was high.

The AFL advocate said that the high contact was not intentional and that Maguire did not intend to cause harm. He further stated that under AFL rules, his actions were negligent. The panel upheld the original charge laid by the MRP.

Andrew Embley (WEST COAST), bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Fremantle's Rhys Palmer: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium contact (two points) and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, a Level Three offense, 400 demerits and a four game suspension. He has a clean record which reduces the penalty 25% to 300 demerits and a three game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 225 demerits and a two game suspension.

Matt Priddis (WEST COAST), fined $1200 for a first offense of negligent contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Hayden Ballantyne (FREM) and Adam Selwood (WEST COAST) fined $1200 each for a first offense of wrestling. Both accepted, reducing their fines 25% to $900.

The match day report against Essendon’s David Hille for rough conduct against Hawthorn’s Clinton Young was assessed by the MRP. The panel ruled that Young had taken a mark as Hille was coming in to contest the ball. Hille turned his body to protect himself when it was apparent that Young would get to the ball first. It was the view of the panel that Hille had slowed to minimize contact and reduce the impact. They further ruled that the force of contact was below the requirements for a report and dismissed the charge.

Source: theage.com.au, afl.com.au, Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release